From our Pastor’s Desk

Dear Family:

Today, Mother Church celebrates Pentecost and this is a celebration, which comes fifty days after Easter. The name Pentecost is derived from the Greek word Pentecoste, which means fiftieth. Pentecost was originally celebrated by the Jews to remember the day the law was given to Moses on Mount Sinai. The Jews also refer to this celebration as the feast of weeks since it occurs seven weeks after the feast of Passover. Moses received the law amidst thunder and lightning (Exodus 19:16-19). Likewise, the Apostles receive the Holy Spirit surrounded by strong winds and fire (Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11).

The descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles was in fulfillment of the promise of Jesus. He promised the apostles he would send an advocate, the spirit of truth who will teach and remind them of the things he taught them (John 14:27). Prophet Joel foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit: “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams; your young men will see visions (Joel 2:28).

Today, we come to the climax of our Easter celebrations. It is often referred to as the birthday of the Church. The Church was conceived when Jesus said to Peter, “You are the rock, upon you I will build my Church” (Matthew 16:18). The Church was born on Pentecost Sunday with the descent of the Holy Spirit on the apostles.

In the Old Testament, among the Jews, the feast of Pentecost was when Jewish pilgrims gathered in Jerusalem from various parts of the world to celebrate the festival of thanksgiving for the first fruits of their harvest (Numbers 28:26). While the crowds were celebrating, the apostles hid themselves in a room and stayed in prayer. We recall that after the death of Jesus, the apostles locked themselves up in a room. Jesus rose from the dead and took them out of the locked room.

Before His ascension, Jesus told them to go and wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Holy Spirit. The apostles, however, went back and locked themselves up in a room. This is how they return to the same problem from which they had been rescued. It took the power of the Holy Spirit to finally break the lock that held the apostles.

The manifestation of the Holy Spirit attracted a large crowd. Filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached to the crowd. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day” (Acts 2:41). It was indeed God’s plan that the Holy Spirit came during the Pentecost celebration when a large number of people from various parts of the world were present to experience the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, to receive the Good News, to be baptized and to return to their countries as witnesses.

One of the experiences of the apostles was that they spoke in different tongues, in such a way that people from various parts of the world could understand them in their own language. In Genesis, God used languages to disperse the builders of the Tower of Babel (Genesis: 11:1-9). During the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, God used language to unite all peoples. One of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the Catholic Church is to preach the message of Christ in different languages in all parts of the world.

We celebrate Pentecost to refill, to renew and to revive the unction of the Holy Spirit in us. The celebration is also a prayer for Pentecost experience. How do we recognize Pentecost experience? First, Pentecost experience means liberation from whatever it is that locks up a person. The apostles were afraid and locked themselves up in a room. Some vices that can lock us up are fear, guilt, unforgiving hearts, anger, jealousy, greed, envy, etc. Second, liberation leads to discovering a new mission. After their liberation the apostles fearlessly began the mission of evangelization. Liberation brings about newness and liveliness. Newness and liveliness are Pentecost experiences. Third, Pentecost is not a one-time experience. If someone discovers a new mission and is not empowered to embark on the mission, the mission collapses. Therefore, a new mission requires a renewed and sustained spiritual energy. The renewed and sustained energy is Pentecost experiences.

Fourth, a person has experienced Pentecost when the person gets back on track. St. Paul writes, “I remind you to stir into flame the gift of God that you have through the imposition of my hands.” (2 Timothy 1:6). God has given each person spiritual and physical gifts. It is also true that due to some reasons some people lose their gifts, and some people’s gifts go dormant. Pentecost means gifts rediscovered, and gifts alive again.

Fifth, Pentecost means a conversion from sinful life to godly life. It means a spiritually transformed life. It means guided by the desires of the Spirit, and not by the desires of the flesh. Pentecost means living by the Spirit and walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Sixth, Jesus says, “But when he comes, the Spirit of Truth, he will guide you to all truth” (John 16:13). Pentecost means I allow the Holy Spirit to teach me all truth. Then, I no longer see truth according to my subjective thinking and imagination, or according to my selfish desire, but according to the mind of God.

Seventh, Jesus says, “Peace be with you.” “Receive the Holy Spirit.” To have peace of mind is an important Pentecost experience. It means letting go of anxieties and worries, and trusting in God. This peace conquers all trials and defeats every temptation. This peace brings healing, humility, understanding and reconciliation. A person who has everything but has no peace has nothing. The person who has peace has everything.

“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love. Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, through Christ Our Lord, Amen.”

Wisdom, Understanding, Right Judgment (Counsel), Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety (Reverence), and Fear of the Lord (Wonder and Awe) make us be One Body, One Spirit, One Family! Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Katharine Drexel, Saint Michael the Archangel, St. José Gregorio Hernández, Pope Saint Pius X, St. Teresa of Avila, and St. Charbel, pray for us.

Yours in Christ!
Fr. Omar